The forest was still smoldering.
Charred trees stood half-broken, smoke rising lazily from the scorched ground. The air carried a faint metallic scent—something that didn't belong to Earth.
Footsteps echoed softly.
A teenage girl walked through the forest with her hands tucked into her pockets. A white blindfold covered her eyes, marked faintly with red symbols. Her skirt fluttered gently as she moved.
"…Man," she sighed. "I hate forest missions. Way too boring."
She stopped.
Something metallic lay ahead.
Beside it, a small fox scratched at a strange capsule with its claws.
"Hm?"
The girl tilted her head slightly.
The ground around the object was cratered. Trees were snapped clean in half.
"I see…" she muttered. "Something fell from the sky."
She crouched down.
The fox noticed her presence and fled instantly.
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The girl tapped the capsule lightly, then pushed it to the side. A faint hiss escaped as part of it cracked open.
Inside—
A baby slept peacefully.
"…Eh?"
She blinked.
"A baby? In a diaper?"
As if sensing her presence, the child slowly opened his eyes.
Silver pupils reflected the forest light.
He didn't cry.
He just stared at her—confused, curious, silent.
The girl froze.
Then completely melted.
"…Awww," she whispered. "You're way too cute."
She lifted her blindfold just a little.
Golden light glimmered beneath it—for only a second.
She gently picked him up.
"Well then," she smiled. "From now on, I'll take care of you. You can call me your big sister."
The baby grabbed onto her clothes, tiny fingers curling tightly.
She laughed softly.
"Hm… you need a name."
She thought for a moment.
"…Astra."
The baby blinked.
Then—softly—
"…As…tra…"
Her eyes widened.
"…You like it already?"
She laughed, adjusting him in her arms.
"Alright then, Astra."
She walked forward, humming quietly.
"Fu~ fu~ fu~ ?"
—
A massive city stretched into the horizon.
Cars roared past. Trains rattled overhead. Neon signs flickered. Life moved fast.
The girl walked calmly through the crowd and stopped in front of a traditional dojo.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance:
**SAI MARTIAL ARTS DOJO**
Inside, the air was quiet.
She sat down on a woven carpet and placed Astra beside her.
The baby tried copying her posture.
Failed.
Rolled sideways.
She giggled.
Then—
Footsteps.
A man appeared.
Red hair tied into a ponytail. Ocean-blue eyes. A large red-and-white kimono draped over his shoulders. Behind him rested a massive katana.
His expression was unreadable.
"Yo, Sensei Sai!" the girl waved cheerfully. "Look who I found!"
Sai's gaze settled on the baby.
"…An otherworldly creature," he said calmly.
Then he turned toward her.
"Yuki," he continued. "You've brought someone extremely dangerous."
Yuki straightened.
"Yes, Sensei."
"If you keep him," Sai said, "then you are responsible for controlling him."
Yuki nodded without hesitation.
"Understood."
Astra watched them, blinking slowly.
Sai crossed his arms.
"You know," he said, "you passed my tests."
Yuki responded instantly, her posture perfect.
"Yes, Sensei. I am not proud of you."
Sai paused.
"…Then I am failing you in the exams."
Silence.
Astra whispered softly in his tiny voice—
"…This world… weird."
